Mexico remains top US trading partner as August commerce hits $94.3B

Mexico remained the United States’ largest trading partner in August, as cross-border commerce surged nearly 27% year over year to $94. 3 billion. Two-way trade between the U. S. and Mexico totaled $94. 29 billion during the month, a 26. 75% increase from $74. 4 billion in August 2025, according to U. S. Census Bureau data analyzed by WorldCity. U. S.

exports to Mexico increased 15. 1% year over year to $33. 66 billion, while imports from Mexico jumped 34. 3% to $60. 64 billion. Mexico accounted for 17. 4% of total U. S. international trade during August. Canada ranked as the United States’ No. 2 trading partner during the month with $66. 27 billion in two-way commerce, followed by China at No.

3 with $35. 86 billion. The latest figures extend Mexico’s position at the top of the U. S. trade rankings. Through the first eight months of 2026, U. S. -Mexico commerce reached $682. 82 billion, up 17. 5% from the same period last year. Canada ranked second year to date at $503. 82 billion, while China was third at $257. 43 billion. U. S.

trade with China declined 12% compared with the same period in 2025. Overall U. S. international trade totaled $540. 92 billion in August, including $204. 75 billion in exports and $336. 17 billion in imports. Laredo retains No. 1 gateway ranking Port Laredo remained the nation’s busiest international trade gateway in August, handling $38.

56 billion in two-way commerce, up 28. 5% from $30. 02 billion a year earlier. Imports through Laredo totaled $26. 23 billion, a 33. 9% increase, while exports increased 18. 3% to $12. 34 billion. Laredo alone accounted for 7. 1% of all U. S. international trade during the month.

Chicago O’Hare International Airport ranked second in total trade during August at $33. 4 billion, while the Port of Los Angeles came in at No. 3 at $27. 8 billion. Mexico overwhelmingly drives Port Laredo’s freight activity. Trade with Mexico represented $37. 62 billion, or about 97. 6%, of Laredo’s total August commerce.

The figures underscore Laredo’s role as the primary conduit for the rapidly expanding U. S. -Mexico supply chain, especially for finished vehicles and auto parts. Motor vehicle parts were the gateway’s top export commodity in August at $1. 33 billion, followed by diesel engines at $441 million.

Computer exports through Laredo more than doubled from a year earlier to $370 million. Mexico’s August performance was also the highest for the month in WorldCity data dating to 2013. Why it matters: The sharp growth in cross-border commerce shows the U. S. -Mexico freight corridor continuing to expand despite tariffs and broader trade uncertainty.

More FreightWaves articles by Noi Mahoney: TA Services acquires 2 Texas cross-border carriers, adds 133 trucks DP World plots US port comeback with Corpus Christi container terminal FMCSA restores 30-day HOS relief for truckers during emergencies The post Mexico remains top US trading partner as August commerce hits $94. 3B appeared first on FreightWaves.